Accessible Mt. Baker

Last updated: February 13, 2019

What's Happening Now?

The Mount Baker Station Area has been the focus of several planning processes in the past 10 years in which the Mt. Baker community articulated a vision for a thriving, diverse, sustainable, and affordable town center. As public-sector capital investments and private sector developments occur, there is an opportunity for interdepartmental collaboration to best meet the community's vision and develop near-term recommendations.

In late 2018, several agencies (including Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Sound Transit, King County Metro, and King County Wastewater Treatment) formed a partnership to work with the Urban Land Institute to convene a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP). The TAP is an objective team of seasoned professionals who will develop recommendations and identify next steps toward implementing the community's vision. We expect to have more to share on recommendations and next steps in summer 2019.

Project Overview

The Accessible Mt. Baker Plan envisions transforming an auto-oriented area into a pedestrian and transit-oriented destination that is safer and more vibrant for everyone.

The first design phase is working with an interagency team (including Seattle Office of Planning and Development, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Utilities, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and University of Washington) to determine a possible relocation of the Mt. Baker Transit Center to improve transit connections and reduce vehicle and pedestrian conflicts. We expect to have more to share on the potential Transit Center relocation in summer 2019.

The Bicycle Master Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan programs are also planning walking and biking connections in the area to be completed by 2024.

Over the next few years, we'll further develop the design, conduct traffic analysis, and work on securing funding.

Existing Transit Center that will possibly be relocated to improve transit connections and pedestrian safety.

Project Background

Rainier Ave S and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S (MLK) are key southeast corridors for people driving, taking transit, and moving goods. It's also an important connector to I-90 and I-5. The existing intersection has been a problem for the neighborhood - it causes truncated transit connections, pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, disconnected bike routes, as well as congested and confusing traffic movements.

In 2015, we worked with neighbors and built on past plans to come up with a concept to reconfigure the intersection of Rainier and MLK. Recognizing the need and community's desire for safety, accessibility, and vibrancy, Accessible Mt. Baker is identifying near-term access and safety improvements for the community near the Link light rail station.

The Rainier and MLK intersection is in the middle of major destinations including the Mt. Baker Link Light Rail Station, King County Metro Transit Center, Franklin High School, housing, and retail.

Schedule

We're in early design for the Accessible Mt. Baker project.

The first design phase is working with an interagency team to determine a possible relocation of the Mt. Baker Transit Center to make transit connections smoother and reduce conflicts between people walking and people driving. We expect to have more to share on the potential Transit Center relocation in summer 2019.

Over the next few years, we'll further develop the design, conduct traffic analysis, and work on securing funding.

Funding

Early design for this project is funded by the Levy to Move Seattle, a 9-year $930 milion levy approved by voters in 2015. Final design and construction is not yet funded.

Top Requests

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) develops, maintains, and operates a transportation system that promotes the mobility of people and goods, and enhances the quality of life, environment, and economy of Seattle. In June 2002, SDOT was created by combining transportation planning from the former Strategic Planning Office with the former Seattle Transportation Department to bring a more comprehensive approach to transportation service delivery. A major element of SDOT's creation was the establishment of the Policy, Planning, and Major Projects division, which is charged with transportation system planning and providing increased control and influence over major projects under construction in Seattle.